The Olympic Experience Part 1

I thought I'd dedicate this post to Apolo Ohno.



Thank you, passer-by, for offering to take the one and only picture of us together at the Olympics!


Just before being strip searched at the entrance. Well, not EXACTLY, but we did have to take our belts off.


The walk just to enter most of the venues is quite extensive. But look at the scenery!


WE ARE AT THE OLYMPICS!!!!

This gives you a feel for how far back we were.


And there he is just warming up. It was interesting, after they had called the skaters off the ice, Ohno continued skating for a few moments longer. I think he was enjoying the recognition. Of course, the crowd is chanting his name. I'd probably stay out on the ice for a few extra seconds too!


The quarter finals


He's breakin' out...makin' his move!


At this point, we were safe to cheer because Canada also qualified for the semi-finals. If they had not, I probably would've restrained from cheering. You should see the size of the cowbells these people were ringing. I probably would have got one in my head.


Again, in every race he was the last one off the ice. The whole time he is out out there, the crowd is going wild. I must say, he dries his skates very methodically.

I'm sure there is a great reason for this. We wouldn't want rust to form in between races!


He had smiles for everyone...especially when I yelled, "Hey Apolo, SMILE!" I kid, there was some serious distance between us and the ice! SERIOUS DISTANCE!

After qualifying in the quarter finals, J.R. Celski was disqualified in the Semi-finals. I guess you're not allowed to pull other skaters down with you. Oh well, maybe in 4 years. (doesn't that just sound depressing)


And now the FINAL. They call each player to the start line. At this point, the whole place is a MAD HOUSE. TWO, I said TWO Canadians were in the finals and that was serious grounds for some SERIOUS COW-BELLING!! Is anyone aware of this? I think seeing it on T.V., so much of the noice is drowned out. But the crowd was ELECTRIC!! The cowbells were the biggest surprise! You can always hear them in the background on TV. But I never got the memo about wearing earplugs in case of a over zealous fan banging a cowbell behind your head!


If I was about to make history, I would probably stretch like this too! O.K., maybe not if I was being viewed by millions of people. But, hey, he's dedicated to his sport!


GET READY!


GET SET!




GO!!! MOCK ONE WITH YOUR HAIR ON FIRE!!
See what I mean about the NOISE!!
Sorry about the camera shake. I was seriously stressed out for these skaters.




Eat my dust, Canada. Not really! I love Canada, my husband was conceived there!
Tonight was Korea's night. AS PER USUAL!


Look at that show of sportsmanship.


Yep, the most decorated Winter Olympic athlete in the world.




And that's a wrap! Thanks for the memories!